According to the world’s largest masturbation survey, 96% of British adult men and 78% of British adult women masturbate. Yet, somehow, with all that diddling, the world is still dallying around with untrue myths and legends about masturbation and its supposed “sinfulness.”
Why don’t we all understand it better if we all do it? This article discusses masturbation myths, including why you should never feel bad and how to practice it safely when doing it with partners. We’ll also cover some of the more troublesome and potentially harmful myths about masturbation and ‘finish’ with perhaps the silliest masturbation myth of all time. And no, it’s not about it causing ‘blindness.’ For the record, it doesn’t.
Myth #1 - Masturbation Only Happens When You’re Alone
Masturbation doesn’t only occur when people are alone. Many people in relationships who masturbate together find it liberating because it reduces some of the stigmas around masturbation. It can also help to reduce the feelings of responsibility the other person might have to make sure you “finish.”
Myth #2 - You Can’t Get an STI From Masturbation
This myth is sort of true but also has a very important caveat. If you masturbate alone, you cannot transfer an STI. If you masturbate with your partners and do not touch each other or swap fluids, you will also not get an STI. However, if you masturbate with partners and there is an exchange of some kind, you run the risk of STI transfer.
If you are masturbating together, there are ways to protect yourself and your partners:
- Cover toys with a condom or sanitise before sharing, to prevent bacterial vaginosis (BV) or STI transmission.
- Keep fingers and hands outside your partners’ mouths, genitals, and anus. Use latex gloves for added protection.
- Know of any concerns or areas where STI infection may be present and avoid those areas. Use other forms of barrier protection if possible.
Once you’ve finished, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly to avoid any leftover semen or body fluid. If you believe there is a chance you contracted an STI, we urge you to get tested immediately.
Find other tips for having safer sex, including safer oral sex, on our blog.
Myth #3 - People In a Good Sexual Relationship Don’t Masturbate
This is absolutely not true. Just because one (or all) of the people in a relationship masturbate by themselves doesn’t mean that they think you are a bad sexual partner or are not satisfied with your sex life. Different people have different levels of sexual desire, and masturbation (including the freedom to do so) can help fulfil that extra desire without adding pressure or stress of fulfilment to the other person.
Myth #4 - Excessive Masturbation Can Lead To Erectile Dysfunction
This is false. Erectile dysfunction is not caused by excessive masturbation. However, it is essential to understand that how you masturbate matters. For men and women, if you are too aggressive or cause injury in some way, it can lead to health issues. Also, those who masturbate a lot can become used to their own touch, which could lead to difficulty when sex is introduced differently. This could lead to problems getting aroused or reaching orgasm with a partner.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) results from a variety of health issues, both physical and psychological.
Myth #5 - Masturbation Is Not Normal
Ask any sexual health professional, and they will tell you that masturbation is a completely normal and healthy activity for people of all ages. The average age people in the UK begin masturbating is 15.3 years old.
Myth #6 - There Are No Health Benefits to Masturbation
For men and women of all ages, masturbation offers many health benefits. According to many studies, masturbation can help:
- Improve sleep
- Reduce stress
- Headache reduction
- Improve concentration
- Increase self-esteem
- Lessen vaginal dryness
- Reduce pain during sex
- …and more.
Masturbation also improves blood flow thanks to increasing your heart rate, which technically counts as exercise. So, masturbation is an aerobic exercise.
Myth # 7 - You Can Masturbate Too Much
If masturbation has become an escape from problems in your life or your relationship, or if it begins to affect your physical or mental health, then masturbation becomes problematic. You should consider seeing a therapist or sexual health expert to discuss these issues. However, it is very rare to “masturbate too much.”
Myth #8 - Women Can’t Masturbate During Their Periods
There is no medical reason for women to avoid masturbating during their periods. In fact, studies have found that masturbating while on your period can help alleviate cramps and pain caused by your time of the month. Masturbation can also boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help satisfy increased sexual desires that might be triggered at certain points in your cycle.
Myth #9 - Masturbation Leads to Sexual Addiction
Depending on the era you grew up in or the influences around you (especially religion), you may believe masturbating is abnormal, immoral, or a sin. That’s unfortunate because masturbation is perfectly healthy and does not lead to sexual addiction in adulthood.
Sex addiction is any sexual behaviour that feels “out of control.” Like other addictions, it acts as a dependency to numb negative emotions or difficult experiences. While someone who is addicted to sex could masturbate to help them deal with their addiction, the act of masturbation itself does not lead directly to sexual addiction.
Myth #10 - You Only Get So Many Orgasms in Life
Come on, now.
There is no finite number of orgasms. Have as many as you want!
Conclusion
We told you the last one was silly. Hopefully, this article has cured you of any ill thoughts you have toward masturbation and encouraged you to enjoy the benefits of masturbation for yourself and practice it safely if you choose to do it with others. For more advice, questions answered, or general sexual health information, check out the other articles available on our blog.
